Category: State News

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A federal drug investigation in Des Moines led to a high-speed chase in a residential neighborhood and ended with a violent crash on the south side on Tuesday. Police say no bystanders were hurt, and a ‘significant’ amount of drugs are now off the street.

LINN COUNTY, IA (IRN) – One person was injured in rural Linn County when a semi-truck rear-ended a tractor. The tractor rolled, landing on its top on the roadway. The driver of the tractor was transported to a nearby hospital for what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi was not injured but was cited for Use of an Electronic Communications Device While Driving and Following too Close.

WEST DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A 10-year-old girl is being hailed a hero after she got her younger sister out safely from their burning West Des Moines home on Tuesday. Roselin Castro’s mother wasn’t home at the time because she was dropping off two younger children at daycare, and her father was at work. Fire officials praised the 10-year-old for knowing what to do.

IOWA (IRN) – A Red Flag warning goes into effect this afternoon for much of Central and Northern Iowa. Burning is not recommended, as humidity will be low, and we can expect gusty winds.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowans are being warned to avoid starting outdoor fires this week, or accidentally setting them, because they can easily spread due to the warm and windy conditions. The National Weather Service reports that Iowa is at very high fire danger risk Tuesday and Wednesday when much of the state will see highs around 80 degrees.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Today Iowa Supreme Court Justices will hear oral arguments on whether or not to lift the permanent injunction on Iowa’s “fetal heartbeat” law. The law would ban abortions once cardiac activity is detected. The law is on pause after the state’s old Supreme Court ruled against it in 2019. Following the overturn of Roe v Wade, Iowa’s highest court ruled the right to an abortion is not protected under the Iowa constitution. That ruling paved the way for Governor Reynolds’ request asking the judges to reinstate the nearly six-week abortion ban.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Minors in Iowa would have to get permission from their parents to create social media accounts under a proposed bill at the Iowa Statehouse. The original version of the bill banned Iowans under the age of 18 from creating social media accounts. Republican lawmakers amended the bill to include parental consent after criticism from large tech companies and parents.

IOWA (IRN) – A Republican presidential candidate is returning to Iowa this week. Nikki Haley was in Sioux City Monday, and Tuesday she’ll visit Denison, Storm Lake, and Fort Dodge. Wednesday, Haley will be in Des Moines. She previously served as governor of South Carolina and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

FORT DODGE, IA (IRN) – The DOT is considering using a safer type of intersection across the state. It’s called a Reduced Conflict Intersection. The first one will be installed on Highway 20 near Fort Dodge. The DOT hopes Iowans get used to it, as it has worked well in Minnesota for years.

JOHNSON COUNTY, IA (IRN) – An 18-year-old from North Liberty is dead and another hospitalized after an early morning crash early Saturday in rural Johnson County. Authorities say 18-year-olds Trevor Burrows and Jacob Cohen were traveling in a Jeep Wrangler when they went into the ditch, rolled and were both thrown from the Jeep. Investigators say neither were wearing seat belts. Burrows was pronounced dead at the scene. Cohen was rushed to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment.

ANKENY, IA (IRN) – One person is dead after a car crashed into an Ankeny home early Saturday morning. First responders found the car in the basement of the home. It was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived. Residents of the home escaped uninjured, but the driver of the car died on scene.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – A man is in Polk County Jail on charges of attempted murder. Des Moines police said 34-year-old Deluan Jackson stabbed a woman.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – The Iowa Attorney General’s Office under Republican Brenna Bird has paused its practice of paying for emergency contraception and abortions for victims of sexual assault, a move that drew criticism from some victim advocates. The ruling disproportionately impacts poorer women who can’t afford the treatment.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – The nicest week of 2023 from a weather standpoint has arrived. Plan on a mix of sun and clouds today as a very weak wave of low pressure comes through. An isolated spot or two over the far west could feasibly get a sprinkle, but otherwise, no rain is expected. Look for highs generally in the 70’s and lower 80’s with comfortably low humidity levels.

DES MOINES, IA (IRN) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has stopped a long time policy of the state paying for both Plan B and the abortion pill for rape victims. Those payments are now on hold as part of a larger review of victim services. The Iowa ACLU on Friday slammed the move as “beyond cruel” and “unconscionable.”

WEBSTER COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A Humboldt woman is accused of hiring someone to kill her husband. Forty-four-year-old Erin Rohrer is charged with solicitation to commit murder. According to court documents, Rohrer met with someone in the Fort Dodge area in an attempt to persuade them to kill her husband. Court records don’t show a motive.

TAMA, IA (IRN) – A former Tama County jail inmate is suing the county over his sexual relationship with a jailer. Christopher Cungtion says in court documents that the illegal relationship with jailer Kayla Bergom put his safety at risk. He was allegedly threatened with extortion by other inmates, which eventually led to a fight. Bergom pleaded guilty and was given a suspended sentence.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – Hawkeye basketball star Kris Murray announced on Friday he is entering his name into the 2023 NBA Draft, while maintaining his college eligibility. He earned consensus third team All-American honors this year, along with a number of other accolades.

IOWA CITY, IA (IRN) – The University of Iowa Athletics Department has paused sales of 2023-24 women’s basketball season tickets because demand is so high. Fans are excited to watch Caitlin Clark, Coach Lisa Bluder, and the Hawkeye women after winning the Big Ten Championship and being runners-up in the NCAA tournament.

LUCAS COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A teenager was killed in a ATV accident in rural Lucas County on Wednesday. Alex Andrew Oxenreider, 14, was taken from the scene of the crash northwest of Chariton by Chariton Fire and Rescue. He died from his injuries at Lucas County Health Center.

FAYETTE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – On April 4th the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call of a train vs vehicle accident west of Oelwein. A grain truck had failed to yield at the railroad crossing and struck a Northern Iowa Railways train. The driver of the truck was cited for Failure to properly stop at a railroad crossing. No injuries were reported.

WAPELLO COUNTY, IA (IRN) – According to the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, an Ottumwa man posed as a massage therapist and assaulted someone. Fifty-year-old Cory West of Ottumwa, a convicted sex offender, gave a massage to a woman last month at his home and inappropriately touched her. The sheriff’s office says that West’s criminal history “spans over several decades and several states.” West was arrested and charged with sexual abuse.

IOWA CITY, IOWA (IRN) – The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled an officially licensed, limited-edition bobblehead to commemorate the Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball Team’s historic 2022-23 season. The bobblehead features Iowa’s mascot, Herky the Hawk, holding up a copy of the sports section of a newspaper titled “Iowa News.” The front page proclaims, “HAWKEYES MAKE IOWA PROUD!”